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Posts Tagged ‘XO’

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Review: Mount Gay 1703 XO Reserve Cask Rum

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 3, 2020

This past Christmas, I reviewed the 24 Rums which were featured in the 1423 World Class Spirits – 2019 24 Days of Rum Calendar. The reviews were written based upon my my taste impressions from a small (20ml) sample of each rum which was provided in the European edition of that said rum advent. I was also sent larger 50ml samples of each rum in the American version of that same rum advent.

My plan for the New Year is to re-sample each of these rums and re-post each review. These re-posted reviews will be more complete with the scores adjusted slightly based on my impressions from the larger sample.

The first of these re-posted reviews is for the very first rum in the advent, Mount Gay 1703 XO Reserve Cask Rum a wonderful rum from Barbados.

Here is a link to the newly completed full review:

Review: Mount Gay 1703 XO Reserve Cask Rum

“… The breezes above the glass show me a complex nose featuring a nice mingling of oak, molasses and tar-like smells.As the glass breathes, I notice firm oak spice, dark caramelized treacle and molasses as well as enticing baking spices (vanilla, cinnamon and clove) combined with roasted marshmallow, coffee and cocoa …”

Please enjoy the review which now includes a suggested serving, the Aztec Rum Old Fashioned.

Happy New Year Everyone!

 

 

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Review: Hine Antique Cognac XO

Posted by Arctic Wolf on September 30, 2018

Hine is one of the oldest Cognac Houses in the commune of Jarnac, (within the Cognac appellation in France of course). Hine has produced their Cognac since 1763.

Hine Antique XO Cognac is produced from a blend 40 Cognac spirits in the heart of France’s Cognac appellation on the banks of the River Charente. Recently the brand upgraded the blend such that every drop of Hine Antique is now distilled from grapes grown in the Grande Champagne cru. The Grand Champagne cru is the most recognizable Cognac region of France known for consistently producing high quality grape harvests. In addition, all of the eau de vie for this cognac blend have been aged a minimum of ten years which is four years longer than required by French law.

Here is a link to my review:

Review: Hine Antique Cognac XO

“… The initial nose is perhaps a tad restrained as scents of  oak spice and vanilla mingle within a fruited caramel aroma. As the glass breathes, I begin to notice a growing herbaceous quality with camphor, menthol and cinnamon weaving themselves into the lightly sweet caramel. Fresh fruit, (apples, pears and apricots) as well as a bits of raisin unravel into the breezes above the glass as well …”

Please enjoy my review, Chimo!

 

 

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Review: West Indies Rum & Cane Merchants – Central America XO

Posted by Arctic Wolf on March 2, 2018

West Indies Rum & Cane Merchants is a new spirits brand owned by Crucial Drinks. and the aim of this brand is to bottle selected rums from lesser known distilleries or rum producing nations of the world.

The marketing for their rum includes the following statement:

“ We only select rums from lesser known distilleries or rum producing nations of the world and present them once that rum has reached an age that perfectly represents that country or distillery’s style. Each of our releases is limited to just one barrel. To preserve the character of these rums we do not chill filter or add caramel colouring to them..”

The West Indies Rum & Cane Merchants – Central America expression is part of their Remarkable Regional Rums sub brand which marriages rums from different distilleries from a specific region. The spirit is bottled as an XO Rum (unfortunately undefined) and is a blend of rums from Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: West Indies Rum & Cane Merchants – Central America XO Rum

“… There is a nice sweep of almond flavour which runs through the rum which tastes quite nice. Interestingly the spirit becomes drier and more spicy with each sip.  A light milk chocolate and some vanilla flavour have melded with the butterscotch and light impressions of cinnamon, camphor and resin give the rum a bit of an herbal flair …”

Please enjoy my review which includes my recipe suggestion, my Rum Club Cocktail.

Chimo

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#Top100Rums of 2017 #32: Penny Blue XO

Posted by Arctic Wolf on November 21, 2017

Penny Blue XO Single Estate Mauritius Rum is produced by the Indian Ocean Rum Company which is a partnership between the local Medine Distillery on the Island of Mauritius and the aforementioned Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits. Penny Blue is a true Mauritian Rum, distilled from the locally produced molasses from the Medine Distillery’s home-grown sugar cane.

According to the information provided to me, only 10,000 bottles of Batch #004 were produced. Thirty-four percent of the blended rum was matured in ex-bourbon casks, and sixty-six percent in ex-Whisky casks. The ages of those rums varied with the oldest being 11 years old. After blending, the rum is bottled at the Medine Estate.

Here is a link to the review for the #32 Rum on my list of the year’s best:

Review: Penny Blue XO Single Estate Mauritius Rum (Batch #004)

“… a yummy combination of butterscotch, vanilla, orange peel, oak spice, almond and leather. It is really quite nice especially as neither the sweetness of the butterscotch and vanilla, nor the sharpness of the oak and orange peel spice, nor the almond or leather dominate the breezes above the glass. Instead each acts in unison with the others resulting in a complex mixture of scents which is very enticing …”

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To follow the countdown list on a daily basis, you should follow me on twitter (Rum Howler on Twitter) using the hashtag #Top100Rums.

Alternatively you can view the list as it grows by viewing my Reveal Page:

The Rum Howler – Top 100 Rums of 2017

The Reveal Page will be updated at least weekly through September, October and November and then daily in December.

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Review: Penny Blue XO Single Estate Mauritius Rum (Batch #004)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 10, 2017

penny-blue-old-fashioned-sam_2973

Penny Blue Old Fashioned

Penny Blue XO Single Estate Mauritius Rum, is distributed in Western Canadian by Charton Hobbs. This spirit is produced by the Indian Ocean Rum Company which is a partnership between the local Medine Distillery on the Island of Mauritius and Berry Bros. & Rudd.

Penny Blue is a true Mauritian Rum, distilled from the locally produced molasses from the Medine Distillery’s home-grown sugar cane. According to the information provided to me, only 10,000 bottles of Batch #004 were produced. Thirty-four percent of the blended rum was matured in ex-bourbon casks, and sixty-six percent in ex-Whisky casks. The ages of those rums varied with the oldest being 11 years old. After blending, the rum is bottled at the Medine Estate.

Here is a link to my latest rum Review:

Review: Penny Blue XO Single Estate Mauritius Rum (Batch #004)

“… The initial breezes bring a yummy combination of butterscotch, vanilla, orange peel, oak spice, almond and leather. It is really quite nice especially as neither the sweetness of the butterscotch and vanilla, nor the sharpness of the oak and orange peel spice, nor the almond or leather dominate the breezes above the glass …”

Please enjoy the review which includes a nice cocktail suggestion, the Penny Blue Old Fashioned (pictured to the left).

Chimo!

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